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The plan is now to arrange an informal tasting in St James’ Park on a Saturday in August to take advantage of the hopefully nice weather and avoid COVID-19 related lockdowns of restaurants.

The theme for the tasting is: “bring some Summer Port to share” with a suggested emphasis on young red Ports, tawnies and whites.

The aim is to be informal and fun, so we can welcome as many people as are willing to join. Picnics are encouraged; as are non-Port-obsessed other halves and children. If there is interest, I could bring some Pimms-style Port cocktail.

We will need a contingency plan in the even of bad weather which has not yet been devised.

Possible Attendees

JGH + 1
WS1
AHB + 1
rich_n
flash_uk
akzy

(Original Post)

(Considering that: a) the availability of restaurants etc. for large gatherings remains a little uncertain; b) some of the recent tastings have become fully reserved within minutes of someone suggesting them; and c) the informal virtual meetings have been great fun, would anyone be interested in trying to arrange something a little different this Summer?

I was thinking of something along the lines of choosing an afternoon (perhaps a Saturday), finding an outdoor venue, and encouraging to bring a bottle of Port or two to share in hopefully nice weather. Perhaps the emphasis could be on young red ports, tawnies and whites?

I was thinking of it being informal in encouraging people to try different things but be relaxed if they don’t get a glass of every Port. If so, we wouldn’t have to limit numbers. I also thought it might be suitable for bringing less-than-obsessed partners and children, too. Clearly we would have to make some contingencies for bad weather but I am sure we could sort that out.

In terms of food, I guess it would depend on venue. If it were a Royal Park in central London we could do it with picnics, perhaps ordering from Fortnums who are nearby and do this sort of thing ever Summer? Or I guess there might be a venue where a barbecue would be possible.

Not sure if something like this has been tried before and if there is any interest but thought I would put it out there as an idea!)

Good idea, location dependent. Obviously a London park would work well for me and a few ⅔ bottles of JHA 10Y white.

Indeed, location might the difficulty — other halves might be reluctant to stay sober, impeding driving.

Yep, count me in. In summer I usually drink young VP, Crusted or Tawnies/Colheitas. Older VP imho do not work as well in summer. I should somewhere have mag of Croft 11 that would be perfect. After I misplaced it I should make an effort to relocate it. Hope I have not drunk it and forgotten. Or as DRT always thought it was stolen.....

Regards
WS1

Good idea. St James’s maybe?

This may be of interest ~ Royal Parks Picnic Policy

Thanks for this. Yes: I was thinking of St James’ Park.

Different Parks have different maximum group sizes: [...] St James’s Park: 60

Sounds ok!

Barbecues, or any form of cooking in the Parks. As well as being a fire hazard, abandoned barbecues can be a hazard to other visitors and to wildlife. There are catering outlets in each Park selling a selection of hot and cold food.

So, picnics only.

Glass – please ensure that you use plastic cups and bottles where possible. Broken glass is a hazard to other visitors and wildlife and very difficult to remove from parkland.

That doesn’t sound like an absolute prohibition, just a request to be careful.

We have no objection to alcoholic drinks, but they must be available free of charge (ie not for sale), and for consumption by your guests only. And of course, alcohol must only be made available to persons over the age of 18.

Sounds ok, too!

Would a Saturday afternoon suit people? Say early July before the schools break up?

[Edit: Revised the date on further reflection!]

This sounds very interesting - I think Mrs B and I would be up for this. Nice idea Jacob.

Tentatively yes, as long as I can work out the logistics of getting over from Bristol and sort somewhere to stay - I might bring my dad if he's interested.

Yes please!

Yes please!

Yes please

I’ve suggested the 17th July, simply because it is better to have a date in the diary. However, if that doesn’t work for anyone do let me know.

I think I have accurately transcribed the possible attendees across but clearly you will want to check that date works for you!

17th works nicely for us - it's in our diary.

Would have been a likely, but unfortunately already holidaying by 17th.

Given the change in the date for removal of all social distancing regulations, the picnic in St James's Park would seem to be the first large (but no more than 30!) Port Forum event of 2021.

Are we still planning for it to happen?

I am rather worried I have jinxed the COVID recovery plan by proposing this but we are still keen if anyone else is!

I don't think I'll make it for this given the circumstances. I'll be keen later in the summer if things continue to go on the right direction though.

That’s understandable, if a shame! Perhaps other potential attendees could let me know if they are still keen for 17 July (with, of course, the possibility of a re-run in August if successful) or whether they would also like it to be put back?

Elizabeth and I are both double jabbed and very happy to meet up with people in July.

Unfortunately Elizabeth and I are going to have to drop out of the planned picnic. She’s currently working three jobs and is exhausted. Weekends are mostly spent sleeping.

Life should be a bit closer to normal w/c 26 July after the schools have broken up if we arrange something slightly later in the year.

I'm going to struggle, although not impossible, to attend this. It slightly slipped my upcoming radar!

Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑12:13 Sun 11 Jul 2021 Unfortunately Elizabeth and I are going to have to drop out of the planned picnic. She’s currently working three jobs and is exhausted. Weekends are mostly spent sleeping.

Really sorry to hear that. Hope things get back-to-normal soon!

akzy wrote: ↑15:46 Mon 12 Jul 2021 I'm going to struggle, although not impossible, to attend this. It slightly slipped my upcoming radar!

Considering that quite a lot of people will be struggling to attend this weekend, I suggest that we pre-emptively rain-check it until August. If this will cause anyone hardship, perhaps they could post here?

Rescheduling to August would be wonderful for us.

Can I tentatively suggest Sunday 16th (or Saturday 15th)?

I assume you mean Sunday 15th of August or Saturday 14th of August. Looks so far good to me.

rgds

WS1